MSU-Northern Skylights basketball is off to its best start since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Coming off of a Frontier Conference win against Montana Western at the Armory Gym, New Media Broadcasters interviewed head coach Chris Mouat to ask him about his overall impressions of the victory this past Saturday.
“Well for a lot of our kids, it’s their first time in a conference game in the Frontier, so I’m actually really proud,” Mouat said. “We did turn (the ball over) a heck of a lot, but I credit that to Western.”
“They forced us into some things that we don’t normally do. We didn’t take very good care of (the ball) and it’s something we have to learn from (as soon as possible),” Mouat continued. “I’m sure other teams will take that road map.”
“Fortunately, we were able to shoot the ball so well,” Mouat said. “I think that’s what saved us, ultimately.”
The Skylights got huge contributions in the second half from junior point guard Taya Trottier, who finished with 18 points in the victory. Mouat gave praise to his blooming leader and said she expects more from herself each game and that this one will build her confidence early on in conference play.
“She’s got the ball in her hands running the show for us most of the time,” Mouat said. “I’m real proud of Taya (and) her progress and everything else.”
“But, I still expect more out of her (and) she expects more out of herself,” Mouat continued. “I think she’s grown into the position when we’ve really needed it. If we needed to answer a run or stop a run, that was Taya making some of those shots, along with others.”
“She had a good game for herself, the second half especially,” Mouat said.
The (10-4) Northern women’s basketball team will have its next slate of challenges as Frontier Conference basketball rolls on. Hear more later this week from coach Mouat before Thursday’s contest at Montana Tech.
